Manorialism

Manorialism

• The economic systemof the Middle Ages• Based on self-sufficiency

A self-containedworld• Peasants didn’t travelmore than 25 miles from the manor• Lord’s manor house, a church, workshops• 15-30 families lived in village• Serfs and peasants produced all they needed (self-sufficient)

• Crops, fuel, cloth, leather goods, lumber, etc.

The Harshness of Manor Life

• Marriage tax• Marriage needed lords’ consentà fearoflargefamilies

• Church tax• Tithe =1/10 of incomeà power of the church

• Crowded and dirty living conditions• Poor diet health

Three Field System

• Based on rotating crops from a two-field system to three• Increased yields of food production• Allows for more variety of crops to beplanted• Improved the diet and health of people• Fuels a population increase